Just got a new MS Natural Multimedia off ebay. It was an impulse purchase that I regretted at the time, but what do you know, it actually has the best keyfeel of all the naturals. For the few that care, here is a summary of my three MS Natural boards:
MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (Made in China, 2005-2006?):
Good: Sleek design, padded palm rest, quiet, light, reverse slope for those that need it, unmolested naviagtion cluster.
Bad: vague keyfeel, slippery keycaps with minimal cupping feel like the fingers are not getting good purchase, USB only - will not work with PS/2 adapters (bad for KVM users, I suppose), not the stiffest case design - plastic creaks a little if you hold it by the edge. The space in the middle taken up by a useless zoom lever, though it can be hacked for scrolling.
MS Natural Keyboard Elite (Made in Mexico, 1999?):
Good: Minimalist design which looks better in real life, about the same weight as the 4000, but smaller and denser which means that it feels very solid and doesn't creak. Key feel is tactile and fairly quiet. The key tops are cupped and "grippy".
Bad: Half-size cursor keys arranged in a cross, rather than an inverted-T. This isn't actually that bad. Transposed navigation cluster with half-size keys. Again, you can get used to it, though I'd rather not have to. Half-size function keys. The lettering on the keys is pale-grey and doesn't look like it will last a long time. PS/2 (needs a USB converter).
MS Natural Multimedia Keyboard (Made in Thailand, 2004?):
Good: The best keyfeel of all three. The keys are cupped and "grippy". A lot like the Elite, but perhaps lighter touch (and longer travel?). Clicky - I know it's just the plastic rattle, but the tactile and aural feedback is the best of the lot. You just know when you've pressed enough. Though the design is definitely WinXP chic, it's actually not bad when you see it in person.
Bad: As big as the 4000, but much heavier. I was really surprised by how hefty it is. I don't use the rear incline legs, but to me they look too flimsy for this keyboard. Plastic creaks and groans all over the place. The noisiest of the bunch by far. PS/2 connection. F-lock could be an annoyance to some. Some of the bigger keys don't take off-center strikes very well. For example, if you press the left Shift on the left-most edge it will get stuck and grind its way down. This doesn't bother me much, since when typing fast I usually hit all keys in the centre. In any case, the action of the main keys is much smoother than on my Northgate Evolution (white Alps) mechanical board. Navigation cluster - ****ed. I can see the sense of a large delete keys, but it just feels "lop-sided" to me. For example, on a normal cluster, 3 fingers control 2 keys each, and it's the same finger, for the same kind of action. For example - middle finger for Home/End, ring finger for PgUp/PgDown. With this warped layout, my ring finger is responsible for End/PgUp/PgDown. It just doesn't feel logical. Also, relative to the 4000 and the Elite, the right Ctrl key is much closer to the centre. I suppose that's not such a bad thing.
P.S.
Take all of the above (and what follows) with a spoonful of salt. The quality and keyfeel of these mass-produced MS boards varies from year to year, OEM to OEM.
